Overview & FAQs

Discovery Panel data sets are exportable to industry standard formats for easy integration into many multi-omics software packages.

Once your data are downloaded, you may share, store or manipulate them using statistical, multi-omic, or other bioinformatic tools.

You can download your study data by accessing the Data & Integration tab and using the data export tool.

Metabolon performs extensive analyses to curate unique lists of metabolites and small molecules for our Discovery Panels. This process included coupling institutional knowledge with a review of published works within the field to select metabolites that were often highlighted as being relevant to the topic in question. This selection of metabolites was then cross-referenced for frequency of detection on Metabolon’s platform. Therefore, Metabolon’s Discovery Panels provide a robust snapshot into specific biological questions.

Levels, ranging from 1 to 5, are commonly used to convey confidence in metabolite identification. Levels refer to the level of detail – and thus the assigned confidence for accurate identification – for each metabolite. It is not until the appropriate level of detail is reached in Level 1 that definitive compound identification based on multiple orthogonal measurements and comparison to data from an authentic standard can be achieved. Therefore, Level 1 identifications represent the highest level of confidence in the annotation. Level 2 through 5, on the other hand, represent decreasing levels of confidence.

Metabolon’s metabolomics workflow is uniquely designed to deliver Level 1 and 2 identifications for detected metabolites. This unique level of confidence in the annotations is made possible by Metabolon’s use of a chemocentric approach to metabolomics that uniquely detects metabolite features and matches them against Metabolon’s vast in-house library. Metabolon built this library through the analysis of >5,000 authentic standards run in-house using our methods and instruments. This approach to untargeted metabolomics means that all metabolite annotations meet the stringent criteria required for a Level 1 or 2 identification.

Metabolon’s approach leverages this vast library to ensure accurate annotation of not only the metabolites which show statistically significant changes in a study but also those which remain unchanged, and therefore add crucial insight into the underlying biology.

Yes. If you require absolute quantification, you can choose from our full library of Targeted Panel and Single Analyte Assay solutions.

If your study requires additional metabolites, you may choose our Global Discovery Panel offering.

Yes. Metabolon offers quantitative biomarker analyses of specific metabolites (also referred to as a targeted panel) that adhere to GCP and GCLP standards when this quality standard is required for clinical trials. All GCP/GCLP targeted assays are validated according to the FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance (2018) and ICH M10 Guidance (2023). All other bioanalytical testing offered by Metabolon adheres to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Standards. ISO 9001:2015 outlines specific Quality Management System requirements with a strong focus on ensuring consistent and efficient processes, customer focus and satisfaction, and continual improvement.

Discovery Panels are designed as Research Use Only (RUO) products. We offer other solutions that meet GCP/GCLP, CAP, and CLIA requirements. Contact your sales representative for more information if you need to meet specific regulatory standards.

You can select up to six comparisons to view at once, arranged and ordered by the sequence of their selection.

The outer ring of the Heliogram™ visualizes statistical comparisons (one group compared to another) for each metabolite in the Discovery Panel. Select which comparison(s) to view by using the “Select Comparison” drop-down menu. Here you will see the group comparisons defined by your study design.

Yes. To export your figure, click on the “SVG” button next to the figure. Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a web-friendly vector file format that can be easily edited and scaled.

Outer Ring: Metabolites

The outer ring of the Heliogram ™ visualization consists of the total number of metabolites in the Discovery Panel, arranged by Metabolite Source or Pathway groupings. The outer ring can show up to six statistical comparisons at a time, to allow you to compare your results and view trends or contrasts.

Inner Ring: Associations

The inner ring of the Heliogram™ visualization consists of annotation-based associations across Pathways. Each node represents an association, ordered alphabetically. The bar next to each node shows the percentage of significant results within the association.

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If ANOVA Main Effects are included in your study design, results will be indicated by a dot in the center of the circle with more information on hover.

Each metabolite is represented by a circle, which is sized by its degree of significance and colored by its direction and intensity of change. A larger circle indicates higher significance (lower p-value), and a more intense color indicates a higher degree of quantity change (fold change).